Highlights of Pierre Poilievre's first caucus speech

A promise of a country with ‘small government and big citizens’, and to stop the Liberal government from increasing taxes on working people and seniors.

Those were some of the key points of the first speech to the Conservative Party caucus Monday, by new leader Pierre Poilievre, following his resounding win Sunday.

“I meet seniors all the time whose savings are evaporating because of 40-year highs in inflation,” Poilievre said. “They don’t know how they’re going to live out their days. Canadians are hurting and it is our job to transform that hurt into hope. And that is my mission.”

Speaking to party MPs in Ottawa, Poilievre referenced his own upbringing and the virtues of hard work and responsibility. He added it was the job of Conservatives to stand in the way of inevitable tax increases coming in the new year from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and what he called ‘his radical, woke coalition with the NDP.’

Poilievre claimed the federal carbon tax has failed to reach emissions targets and it would have to be increased further, resulting in more financial hardship for working people and seniors.

Saying ‘Canadians are out of money and out of touch’ the new Conservative leader called on Trudeau to commit to ensuring there would be no tax increases next year.

“If you really understand the suffering of Canadians, Mr. Prime Minister, if you understand that people can’t gas their cars, feed their families or afford homes for themselves; if you really care, commit today that there will be no new tax increases on workers and seniors.”

In wrapping up his ten-minute speech, Poilievre spoke to what he called the excessive regulation and gatekeeping of the current government that he claims is holding back the economy and the aspirations of working people.

“I want every single Canadian to have the opportunity that I had. To come from modest beginnings but to work hard every day, to make sacrifices, to be responsible, and to have all those virtues pay off as they realize their dreams in their country. A country with small government and big citizens where the state is servant, and the people are the masters.”